Vital investments

It would be good economics for the North-east and Scotland were the government to spend on large-scale road and rail projects (Opinion 23 July).

Not only is capital investment in infrastructure vital for future prosperity but also it would boost employment in the private sector and secure economic recovery.

However, we know from experience that politics can override good economics and lead to wrong decisions, for example promoting renewable energy at the expense of nuclear.

What will the Independent Budget Review make of local government's concern that free personal care for the elderly isn't affordable? Or how seriously will it take the call of one global bus company "to protect the concessionary fares scheme and cut the costs of road and rail projects"?

It is said "politics is the art of the possible but, as JK Galbraith puts it, "politics is choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable".

ELLIS THORPE

Old Chapel Walk

Inverurie